20-Minute Cardio Workout To Do At Home Without Equipment

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You don’t need fancy equipment to get a great workout. All you need is a little elbow room, your own body weight, and the right moves to make things happen.

Cardio workouts don’t cost a thing and can be done anywhere — even when you’re on that important business trip and don’t have access to your regular gym machines. The key is to do these workouts at an intense pace and consecutively, with little rest in-between sets.

Each of these seven workouts will last a minute, followed by a 20-second rest interval. Do low-intensity knee raises during these rest intervals to keep your body warm up for the next round of high-intensity exercises. Do two sets of this workout before ending with a cool down and stretching.

1. Jumping Jacks

This classic cardio fat blaster is perfect to get the blood flowing, and to warm you up in preparation for the rest of the workout session.

2. Burpees

Ah, dreaded burpees. They may not be everyone’s favourite exercise, but their effectiveness is undeniable. Let’s get these out of the way for our second exercise, shall we?

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and drop down to the classic pushup position.

Jump back up and explode upwards with a jump while raising both arms to complete a rep.

Continue the exercise for a minute.

3. Lateral Jumps

Lateral jumps, when done at a high intensity, can significantly strengthen your knees, ankles, hips, thighs, quads and calves.

Start in a standing position. Jump to your right side with your leading leg (right leg), and crossing the other leg (left) behind you, tapping that toe to the ground.

Jump back in other direction as hard as you can, leading with the opposite leg and tapping with the other toe behind you. Keep low the whole time and be sure to jump sideways, and not up.

Keep up the intensity for a full minute.

4. Pendulum Swings

Pendulum swings might seem easy, but they can be harder than they look, especially when the body is already getting fatigued.

To start the workout, keep your feet on the ground and hands on the floor, as if going into a downward down yoga position.

Then kick your right leg out to the side, then your left leg out to the side, very quickly and consecutively with momentum, in a pendulum-like motion.

Do these little kicks without any pause for a full minute.

5. Jumping Oblique Twists

This workout is one for those seeking to whittle their waistlines. Apart from your core, you’ll also engage your quads, lower back, and calves.

Standing with your feet together, bring your arms upright until they are at shoulder height and your hands are in front of your chest. Your fingers should be almost touching.

6. Mountain Climbers

New to mountain climbers? Prepare for a kick-ass workout that will whip you into shape.

Get into a pushup position. Then, bring one knee forward, in as close to your chest as possible; alternately jump this leg back and exchange the raised knee with the other, while keeping your core engaged.

Go at a fast pace and keep the core engaged for the full minute for a brutal cardio workout.

7. High Knees

Winding things down for the final set, this exercise is highly effective and will work out your hips, abs and thighs.

Starting in a standing position, raise one knee as high as possible toward the chest. Then do the same with the other knee, quickly, as if running in the spot. Don’t forget to pump your arms and keep those knees up nice and high.

Nate is a wandering writer who currently lives in West New York and is passionate about Luxury lifestyles, Travel, great cuisine, and the use of health and fitness as a vehicle towards a holistic existence. Using his over 17 years of competitive combat sport experience spanning three different continents, Nate is now intent on helping people live healthy lives through exercise and diet.